Greens ... will get better with age.

Some details need attention.

The new Village Links 18 is a challenging yet not quite "best in class" municipal experience. It's a "Top 10" Chicago-area municipal with tough competition (Orchard Valley and Bolingbrook come to mind). A challenge due to length (if you're a 10+, PLEASE shoot from the whites), this course will build its reputation on its new greens. The last 5 holes are my favorite in succession of any public course in Chicagoland. Back to back par 5s in holes 15 and 16 present a daunting task (see where the architect "buried the elephant" on 15 and hope the pin placement is not back and to the right). Golfers either love or hate the water-laden par 4 18th, with water in play off the tee (left, right and long), and with the second shot to the green. It's a player's course with plenty of variety. Some details are lacking (relatively noisy gas-powered carts, handi-wipe towels on the ball washers, greens keepers that prioritize efficiency over "invisibility", and a clubhouse in need of an upgrade), yet water fountains abound. Clubhouse food is among the best public course fare in Chicago. The practice facilities, staff and resident professionals are very good (including the #3 instructor in Illinois). Overall, this is a must play for challenge, and among the better municipal courses for total experience.

Customer Service

Very good.

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Great food for a municipal course.

Excellent municipal facility. Fair test for all levels of play. Enough variety to keep the regular player's interest. Value-priced. Serious golfers will appreciate this course.

Greens are relatively slow; need to mature for faster speed. Play can take a while on weekends.

The newly-renovated Glen Ellyn Village Links is back among the top municipal courses in metro Chicago. Fewer trees and more hazards (water on 15 holes ... increased use of bunkers), with new greens and a variety of tee options (up to 5 from 3), there's challenge for all levels of golfer. This course has a tradition of excellence, with implementation of the first "keep pace" policy, and recognition as the first course to an Audubon Sanctuary. Improvements extend to course aesthetics, including increased use of wildflowers and prairie grasses. It's common to encounter hawks and Great Blue Herons, and early this year I encountered a deer ... twice.

Customer Service

Not a resort experience, but not priced like one either. Rangers can move things along better.

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Good restaurant. Great practice facilities and teaching professionals. Clubhouse is next in line for renovation or replacement.

Price (I'm a resident though) Great practice greens

Often backed up. They have a "if you can't hit the group in front of you, you should go" which gets annoying. A couple holes are too close to the roads or houses.

I like this course because it has a reasonable difficulty level. I have played other local courses, most are either too easy or too hard. The course is kept in fair condition for a public course.